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Iguana Pizza: Florida's Invasive Cuisine Craze
22 Oct
Summary
- Iguana meat pizza emerged after a cold snap in Florida.
- The dish featured iguana, venison, bacon, and ranch.
- Regulations for serving iguana meat are still being explored.
In early 2026, a significant cold snap across South Florida led to iguanas becoming temporarily immobilized and falling from trees. This event provided an opportunity for a local iguana trapper, Ryan Izquierdo, to collaborate with Bucks Coal Fired restaurant in North Palm Beach. Together, they created "The Everglades" pizza, also known online as the Florida Man Pizza, topping it with iguana leg and tail meat, venison, bacon, and ranch dressing.
The unusual pizza quickly went viral on social media, eliciting a mix of reactions from fascination to revulsion. Izquierdo described the iguana meat's taste as similar to frog legs with a hint of sweetness, fueling public interest. This culinary experiment brought to light Florida's persistent issue with invasive green iguanas, which can cause damage to local ecosystems and infrastructure.
Wildlife officials issued an executive order in late January 2026, allowing for the temporary collection of cold-stunned iguanas. Over 5,000 iguanas were reportedly collected through this initiative. Despite the excitement, the restaurant faced numerous calls and questions regarding the legality and regulations of serving iguana meat commercially, leading them to halt the offering by mid-February 2026 while exploring compliance requirements.
The Everglades Pizza phenomenon underscores the intersection of wildlife management, unusual weather events, and viral internet trends. It raises important questions about the safety and sourcing of wild-harvested meats, emphasizing that regulatory compliance and proper handling are crucial, regardless of an animal's invasive status.
